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ALU BUNYI

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Introduction and history

Alu Bunyi is one of the intangible heritage elements in Perlis Geopark. Categories of intangible heritage include ways of life, practices, customs, and cultural arts such as dance, music, and cuisine. This tradition has been passed down from generation to generation.

Alu Bunyi is among the three oldest art performances in Perlis, alongside Awang Batil and Beduan, with a history of over 200 years. Historically, this art form originated from Indo-Chinese travelers. They used boats to sail along the coast and eventually reached the Malay Peninsula. Upon arrival, they settled in villages, cultivated rice, and played Alu Bunyi as a leisure activity. This practice then caught the attention of Malay farmers, who started learning it. As a result, this art became popular among rice farmers. They used agricultural tools to create unique and entertaining sounds. The primary musical instruments of Alu Bunyi are the mortar (lesung) and pestle (alu), traditionally used for pounding rice. The striking of the pestle against the mortar produces rhythms similar to those of gamelan instruments. The mortar and pestle are typically made from tui, jawi, or retak duri wood.

Functions and Roles

• To invoke the spirit of rice to come to the farmers' village and stay in the rice barn.

• Believed to protect rice crops from pests like rats and birds.

• Played during rice threshing festivals.

Traditional Attire/ Accessories

• Pagoda shirts, pelikat tied at the waist, and trousers.

Equipment/ Ingredients

• Pestle (alu)

• Mortar (lesung)

• Serunai

Method / Preparation Method / Presentation Method

• The performers engage in playful banter and attempt to charm each other by exchanging rhymes while playing the Alu Bunyi.